Reports from the end of the world - Page 2

In the Yucatan, a New Age fest turns into chaos

12.26.12 - 11:17 am | Steven T. Jones |

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The Castle at Tulum is a major archeological attraction

PHOTO BY STEVEN T. JONES

But tourism is still tourism, and there is certainly a reverence and respect for the Mayan culture being expressed by all the festival goers that I've talked to, even if this may be one in a series of culture moments that are part of this age of transformation and the creation of values that are different than the ones we've inherited from older generations.

As astrologer Rob Breszny told me, people are emotional beings, and there's something about transformation festivals that mark a moment and allow us to build on it, from the days of Woodstock through the annual exercise in community building that is Burning Man. And with this log thrown onto the fire, perhaps those interested in transformation will burn a little brighter.

Tulum is still pretty close to paradise, with its white sands beaches, warm clean seas, chill happy people, and wonderful off-the-grid abundance. Here, it's easy to commune with the natural world, which seems to be what this day calls for. Whether its the symbols in the sky created by the outlines of unfamiliar birds, or the dots of bioluminous organism on the beach as we celebrated the arrival of Dec. 21, they all seem portentous of something better.

Comments

Local Mayans:

Local Mayans: 1
Self-indulgent Rich San Francisco Hipsters: 0

Posted by Demented, Yet Terribly, Terribly Persistent on Dec. 26, 2012 @ 4:05 pm

As the Yucatan has developed

As the Yucatan has developed its tourist infrastructure over the past few decades, the Mayans have not been at the table and as a result they are fast becoming minorities in their own land as others flock in for the loot. I'd seen this in coastal Oaxaca as well, where the Zapotec have been replaced by other Oaxacan mestizos, other Mexicans and, finally, Italians.

The influx of clueless gringos fleeing their own bankrupt culture and "spirituality" in search of someone else's to appropriate in what used to be your home never goes down well either when they come at the behest of growth boosters, whether in the Yucatan or San Francisco peninsulas.

And, Steven, the only place where you should rent a car in Mexico is in the Yucatan. The distances are manageable, prices reasonable, the infrastructure is some of the best in the country and it is pretty safe. Bus it everywhere else, drive it in the Yucatan.

Did you all at least get to ride bikes around Cobá?

Posted by marcos on Dec. 26, 2012 @ 7:02 pm

Hi !

i think that Its not finish

Posted by Guillaume on Dec. 27, 2012 @ 1:56 am

Really? Reverence and respect

Really? Reverence and respect for Mayan culture? Blasting base 24 hours a day, drowning out the sound of the ocean waves? Self indulgent assholes is more like it- I had fantasies of destroying the sound system myself. I felt like it would be a great form of torture boom boom boom all fucking day & night. Self centered raver assholes - I was 40km away in my cabana sleeping with ear plugs. My first vacation in 10 years since I'm not a trustafarian - people trying to emulate a hippy style - I'm A pissed atheist, but since these assholes had things fucked up for them maybe here is a god :)

Posted by Wanda on Jan. 01, 2013 @ 10:18 pm

synthesis

synthesis was nothing like burning man.i am a long time burner and artist.the person that ran this event conned allot of people .period

Posted by Guest on Jan. 02, 2013 @ 10:19 pm

Such a terrible end of the

Such a terrible end of the world haha

Posted by Loto on Apr. 01, 2013 @ 8:38 am